Taking with him some
familiar
friends, Fridolin held an interview with the bishop and his clergy.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
De S.
FridoUno Abbate, <kc.
Vita, lib.
i.
, cap.
i.
, num.
7, 8, 9, 10, II, pp.
434, 435.
3 See /^jV/. , num. II, I? . , 1 3, p. 435.
* The latter part of the seventh and the
early part of the eighth is Dr. Lanigan's
"
otherwritershaveA. D. 372,
^ The BoUandists assert, that his
reign
bc-
gan, a. d. 479, and that in 494, he embraced
the Christian Religion. Colgan maintains,
that he began to reign, about A. D. 484, and tliat he died about A. D. 514, according to the generality of writers,
' Such is the opinion of Colgan, in "Acta
Sanctorum Hiberniae," Martii vi. Vita S.
P>idoUni Abb. itis, &c. , n. 9, p. 490. Also the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus
i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino, Abbate, 5 Such is apparently the supposition of &c. Commentarius Prsevius, sect, ii. , pp.
Coccius, and Dempster. Baronius places 431, 432. the death of St. Hilary at A. D. 369, while
Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sect, xiv. , p. 479, and n. 145,
opinion, respecting his period. See
pp. 482 to 486.
He then arrived at a certain sea,
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i6i
opinion should bring him to France, in the fifth century. ^ Others, with a greater degree of probability, state, that Clovis II. 9 or III. '° was, at this time, the reigning monarch. This variation of statement and opinion, regarding the time when FridoHn lived, has tended to introduce confusion of deduction ; yet, they should not excite doubts as to Fridolin's existence, for not only has Balther's Life of him every mark of authenticity, but his memory has been inseparably connected with the various monasteries he founded, and which have been most celebrated for centuries in Lorraine, Alsace, Germany and Switzerland. " The Bollandists'^ and Calmet'3 will not allow, that Fridolin arrivedinFrance,untilaboutthecommencementofthesixthcentury,''* and while Clovis I. was yet reigning. Mabillon states, that the Acts of our saint are referable to the reigns of later kings, and he introduces them, under the date of 5 90. '5 Now, it is to be observed, that Balther does not indicate what King Clovis or Clodoveus had been the contemporary of our saint ; but, we learn from his biography, that Christianity had been well established in Ire- land, at the time of this arrival in France. '^ Nor, does it seem much more likely, that Clovis II. then ruled •,^^ for, Neustria and Burgundy were only
subject to him,'^ whereas, Balther represents his Clovis as reigning far and wide. Now, Clovis III. flourished, during the latter end of the seventh
century ; and, although he did not directly exercise much jurisdiction, yet, under the protectorate of Pepin de Heristal,'^ his empire was very extensive, and he enjoyed the title of king. He died, a. d. 695, and, it is thought most probable,^° that he was the recognised monarch of France, when Fridolin
sailed from Ireland, and reached that country, to begin his missionary labours. Again, Claudius Robert and the Sammarthann have deferred his
arrival in France to the beginning of the eighth century. ''^ This, however, must be rejected, as altogether too late a period.
When our saint landed in France, he received kind welcome from a man of good family, who dwelt near the port of his arrival, and with Iiim the holy missionary remained for a few days, as well to recruit his strength after the fatigues of his travel, as to learn the condition of things in the new country.
^ Among the writers who hold it are Coccius, Canisius, Bruschius, Guillemann, Possuevin, Bale, Gesner, Ware> Hanmer, Cratepolius, and Colgan. See "Acta Sane- torum liibernise," Martii vi. Appendix ad Acta S. Fridolini, cap. i. , pp. 491, 492.
9 His nominal reign lasted about eighteen years, and he succeeded on the death of his father Dagobert I. , when he was a mere in- fant. The maires of his household were jEga and Erchinoald. Clovis II. only lived to the age of twenty-one. See an account of him in L. P. Anquetil's "Histoire de France," Premiere Race dite des Merovin- giens, sect, v. , p. 53.
'° He was the son of King Thierry III. , and succeeded on his death, when only ten or eleven years old. He only lived to be fifteen, and Pepin le Gros, or as sometimes called de Heristal, governed the Kingdom of Neustria in his name. See ibid. , sect. vi. , p. 54.
'^ gee " Histoire de Lorraine," lib. vii. , sect. i8.
'* This is inferred from the fact, that in 494, the city of Poitiers and all Aquitain were under the power of Alaric, King of the Goths. Over these, Clovis 1. obtained a great victory A. D, 507, at Vouille, when Aquitain was taken from them, so that, during this year or the two years succeeding, it is thought lil<ely, the arrival of St. Frido- lin may agree with the facts of history,
'^ gee "Annales Ordinis S. Benedict! ," tomus i. , lib. viii. , sect, xxvii. , p. 221.
'*
Were it otherwise, there should have been an ample field for his labours at home. Nor does it appear, that Irish missionary expeditions to the Continent were known, at the commencement of the sixth century, Should we refer our saini's period, to the time of Clovis I. , Fridolin must, probably, have been one of St. Patrick's converts ; yet, no where do we find him classed among these
'^ He had no power in Ausirasia, the scene of Fridolin's later proceedings.
'' He was also remarkable, for being a great encourager of missionaries.
" See Rev. Dr.
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xvL, sect, xiv. , n. 145, pp. 486, 487.
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino, Abbate, &c. Commentarius Pmsvius, sect, ii. , p. 431.
Vol. III. —No. 3.
l
I. anigan's
" Ecclesiastical
disciples.
'? His reign lasted from A. D. 638 to 656.
i62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
He was informed, that some of its inhabitants were worshippers of the true God, while others were still addicted to pagan rites and worship. '^ This
urged our saint to begin the work of preaching, and he expounded the Catholic Faith, in the Most Holy Trinity, to the people of all those cities and
places, through which he passed. Fridolin seemed to multiply himself, to meet the various demands on his time and labours, and he ran from town to town, from province to province, without allowing himself a moment's relax- ation. Among other places, he visited the city of Poitiers, where its great Patron, St. Hilary, was held in such universal veneration. '^ He entered first as a guest, and he remained in that part of the monastic precincts, which was denominated the castrum, or fort,"* probably, because it had been built to guard against the attacks of hostile marauders. How long he continued in the position of a subject, we are unable to determine. It is not correct to state, as has been done, that Fridolin built the monastery of St. Hilary, at Poitiers,*5 It is certain, that this foundation not only preceded the time of St. Fridolin's arrival in that city, but even it appears to have been in a flourishing state, when he sought hospitality from its inmates. Our saint spent some time here as monk, subject to ecclesiastical obedience. He was afterwards called to the government of the Monastery of St. Hilary. In either capacity, he became distinguished for his prudence, moderation, and exact observance of religious discipline.
Fridolin's devotion to St. Hilary was very great, and he felt an eager desire to procure the relics of the holy bishop. The love of his fellow-creatures was such, as to induce him to undergo all labours and privations to gain soulstoChrist. But,hewasnotneglectfulofthemeans,whichmostpower- fully contributed to his success as a missioner, since he chastised his body, according to the advice of St. Paul, with macerations and austerities, lest whilst he preached to others himself might become a reprobate. He spent much time in prayer and watching, while especially were his devout wishes offered, to be enabled to find the object of his most earnest desires. The relics of St. Hilary, the founder ot this monastery at Poitiers, had long lain undiscovered, beneath the ruins of his church ;'*^ but, they were miraculously revealed to St. Fridolin, and one night, the holy bishop himself appeared,
andsaidtohim " is : Brother, thy prayer
heard, and,
granted me, I do not cease, through the suffrages of the ever Blessed Virgin
Mary, Mother of God, and through the intervention of all the saints, to help your prayer to the Divine Majesty ; for know, that God himself hath selected thee, to renew in this place honours reserved Tor me, and a great reward thou shalt have, in placing immediately my relics, in a more distmguished part of the church. " On hearing such words, Fridolin awoke, his mind filled with greatconsolation; and,arisingfromhishumblepalletofstraw,heentered the church, giving humble thanks to God and to St. Hilary, for this result of
»" Rev. Dr.
" By " Lanigan.
" See Gallia Christiana," p. 628.
This indicates rather an early date for
his mission in France.
'3 It would seem, that St. Hilary's mon-
astery had been, at first, in the suburbs ; but, in the time of St. Peter Damian, it was known as the greater basilica of St. Hilary, within the city. There was another churcli, known there as St. Hilary's ceil, where it is thought he lived and died.
'* It seems to have corresponded with the early caisol or mitr of our ancient Irish mon- a-'eries.
=5 See " i. O'FIaherty's Ogygia," pars.
Proloquium, p. 28.
sofaras is power
'"
that about the year 409, the Vandals, Alani and Suevi passed through Aquitain, ou their
This was probably owing to the fact,
passage to Spain. Afterwards, Poitiers was under Gothic sway, so that it is probable, the Christians were unable to pay suitable honours, at the tomb of the founder, while they had even forgotten the exact spot where his body had been buried.
'' In the year 508 or 509, Adelsius,
"
to the decrees of the Council of Orleans,
Episcopus ex civitate Pictauis," subscribed
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 163
his long-practised devotions. Then, he began to fast in a manner, incredibly austere, until all his religious brothers noticed that he was reduced to an extreme degree of leanness. He was asked his reasons for such excessive rigour, and at length he was obliged to state what had occurred, and how in gratitude to the Almighty for so great a favour, he had thus redoubled his austerities. Fridolin declared, moreover, the necessity for carrying out certain restorations in the church, and this was agreed to by his fellow-reli- gious, in the manner he should best approve. He signified, that without consulting the bishop, and without his concurrence, and without obtaining aid from King Clodovseus, nothing could be undertaken, in reference to the translation of St. Hilary's relics, or in the matter of restoring his church. Now, owing to the love entertained for him, the Bishop of Poitiers, "^ and his subjects, were accustomed to visit St. Hilary's monastery very frequently, be- cause there his eloquence was the theme of universal approbation.
Taking with him some familiar friends, Fridolin held an interview with the bishop and his clergy. A council was convened,^^ and learning where St. Hilary's relics reposed, it was agreed, that all should proceed to the spot. On this occasion, Fridolin appears to have been chosen as abbot over the monastery. Then, too, a solemn engagement was entered upon, to have the church restored, and the relics of St. Hilary honourably placed therein, while in a fervent spirit of self-sacrifice, the bishop, clergy and laity resolved, that no expense should be spared, in carrying out a most laudable ambition of the holy abbot.
Thus, being obliged to lay aside the pilgrim's staff, and to assume most reluctantly the abbatial crozier, Fridolin was counselled to appear, with the bishop in company, before King Chlodovseus. According to the usual custom of those times, the bishop rode on horseback, while the abbot travelled on foot. The king was greatly rejoiced to hear of their approach, and leaving the throne, with a number of his courtiers accompanying, he went forward to welcome the bishop and the abbot, for he had heard much concerning the holiness of Fridolin. A great banquet was prepared for their arrival in the palace, and at it several nobles sat down to table. Among the guests were many pagans, and one of the most celebrated of Fridolin's miracles now took place, when filling with wine a stone vessel, the colour of glass, and adorned with gold and precious stones in a wonderful manner,''s Clodovseus presented it to our saint ; but, it fell over a grade of the table, and it was then broken into four pieces. One of the attendants gathered them together, and pre- sented them to the king, who, in playful allusion to Fridolin's power of working miracles, asked him to do so in the present instance, and to magnify God'snamebetorethepagans. Takingthefragmentstogether,andbending in humble prayer over tnem, the vessel was presented whole to the monarch, nor could any person observe a single flaw throughout, so that all present ex- pressed the greatest amazement. The king and those who were at table immediately arose, and poured forth prayers most fervently, for this mani- festation of God's power. In consequence of such a miracle, Fridolin con-
Poitiers, A. D. 590. See ibid. , p. 222.
'» This description naturally reminds us of the celebrated Ardagh Cup—probably a banqueting one of the old Irish chiels—and now carehdiy preserved in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. The
latter, however, is of more costly materials, and we presume of a greatly superior style
The Bollandists think he was the contempo- rary of our saint. The people of Basle, how- ever, claim Adelsius, and suppose he should be called "
Episcopus Rauracorum. " In his chronological list 01 Councils, Sir Harris Nicolas has that of Orleans, on Discipline, assembled July loth, a. d. 511. See " Chro-
nology of History," p. 219.
=8 We cannot discover
cord of this council. Yet, there was one at
as French cup here mentioned.
any probable re-
and ornamentation,
compared with the
i6zi. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
verted many French nobles, in the presence of King Clodovseus,^^ while the bishop baptized them at the font. Greatly rejoiced, the king retired to his chamber the first night after the bishop and abbot had arrived, while they
were honourably lodged in the guest-house ; and, early on the day following, he arose to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, oftered by the pious visitors. Afterwards, Fridolin asked permission to have an audience, the bishopbeingpresent,andthekinggraciouslyassented; when,hearingthe whole wonderful account of Fridolin's vision, and about the discovery of St. Hilary's remains, Clodovasus not only highly approved of an intention to re- store the monastery, and to depose the relics there, but he even promised to contribute a large amount of gold and silver, to aid in that pious object.
Then taking leave of the king, Fridolin and the bishop returned to Poi- tiers. There, the church and monastery, with the assistance of King Clovis, were both rebuilt by our saint, as they had already fallen in a great measure to decay. His next object was to have a shrine prepared for the reception of St. Hilary's relics. The bishop and people of the city rendered every possible assistance, to have all that was necessary provided, so that the occasion should be one of great ceremony and solemnity. Part of the illus- trious founder's remains was placed in a suitable manner, within the pre-
cincts of the restored edifice : another portion being reserved by our saint, for ulterior purposes. This honourable deposition was executed, with befit- ting rites and magnificence ; while, it is stated, with great respect and
veneration on the 13th day of January,3» that of his commemoration, the body of St. Hilary was enshrined in the city of Poitiers.
Whilst in this place, St. Fridolin was visited by two very near relations,^* who were priests, and who came from Northumberland. They had long desired his companionship, and they wished to labour with him on the mission. Oursaintacknowledgedtherelationship,andreceivedhiskinsmen with great honour and affection. They were likewise overjoyed to have found him, and they took up their abode under the same roof. 33
CHAPTER III.
A VISION OF ST. HILARY WARNS ST. FRIDOLIN TO LEAVE FOR SECKINGEN—THE HOLY PILGRIM BUILDS SEVERAL CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES, IN HONOUR OF ST. HILARY, THROUGHOUT—THE TERRITORIES OF METZ, ALSACE, LORRAINE, BOUR- GOGNE,ANDAUSTRASIE HEDEPARTSFORRH^TIA,ANDARRIVESATTHESITEOF SECKINGEN—OPPOSITION OF THE PEOPLE THERE—HE OBTAINS A CHARTER FOR FOUNDATION FROM THE KING—A NUNNERY IS FOUNDED AT SECKINGEN, AND GREAT MIRACLES ARE WROUGHT BY THE SAINT.
An apparition of St. Hilary to the holy abbot warned him to proceed to- wards Germany. For after he had entertained his nephews from Northum- bria, and having retired to bed, first signing himself with the cross, St. Hilary
:
addressedhim "BrotherFridolin,whydelayyoutheaccomplishment
3° See O'Flaherty's "Ogygia," pars, i. , Translation of St. Hilary's Relics, hold the Pi"oIoquium, p. 28. opinion, that both were natives of Ireland.
"
3' Yet, other accounts have it, that the Bruschiiis, De Monasteriis Germania:,"
Translation took place on the 26th of June, states, that they were his nephews on the and according to Bouchet, in his Annals, father's side ; while Bauchet, in his Annals,
jhus
many miracles were wrought on this occasion.
3^ Colgan remarks, Petrus Canisius, in his Life of St. Fridolin, chap, xiv. , and St. Peter Damian, in his Discourse on the
relates, how twelve or thirteen yeai's before
he wrote, their bodies were found as perfect,
as if they had been only four days buried, in the church of St. Hilary.
"
33 gee Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 165
of what you promised to God and to me, when you were obliged to separate a certain part of my remains to carry with you. Therefore, do not tarry longer in this place, which your nephews shall take care to have dedicated to the service of the Almighty, after your departure. " Then Fridolin asked, whither he should proceed, and he was told to a certain island^ in the Rhine. Awaking from this dream, word was brought, that the bishop had been stricken with paralysis ; and, with his nephews, our holy abbot, at once, went to render spiritual and temporal comfort. Almost at the point of death, the
prelate lay prostrate, but Fridolin bent down in prayer. He arose in tears, and in great perturbation of spirits, but he found, that the patient was entirely
restored. All those, who were present, devoutly gave thanks to God. Then, Fridolin told the bishop, to his great regret, what admonition he had received
from St. Hilary. Not the prelate alone, but all his clergy and people, be» wailed the inevitable loss their district must suffer, owing to the holy abbot's enforced absence \ yet, the will of God should be accomplished, and sur- rounded by the sorrowing citizens of Poitiers, Fridolin, taking with him the relics of St. Hilary, bade them adieu. He set out immediately to visit King Chlodovgeus, according to the Life, and he related the particulars of his vision. From that monarch, he obtained permission to occupy the island indicated, but as yet unseen by him, and to accomplish there whatever the Providence of God decreed.
With joy, St. Fridolin parted from the king, who had so graciously
assented to his request, and his steps were first directed towards the Moselle.
Before leaving France, however, he founded several churches, especially in the provinces of Bourgogne and Alsace. On the banks of that river already
named, he began to build the monastery of Helera f and, perhaps, at a different place, called Hilariacum,3 he erected another church. This, or these, he dedicated to St. Hilary, but he only remained, until his work was completed. FromtheMoselle,hedeparted,aswearetoldbyBalther,and his course lay through a gorge of the Vosges mountains. * There he selected the site for a church he built—perhaps not different from Hilariacums—and he dedicated it to St. Hilary. Thence, he passed on to the city, called
niae," Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini, lib. i. ,
cap. iv. to xyi. , and nn. lo, ii, pp. 482 to "
it answers Balther's description of a church he erected, after leaving the banks of the Moselle. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sect, xiv. , n. 130, pp. 481, 482.
490. Also, the BoUandists' Acta Sancto- rum," tomus i. , Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini, lib. i,, cap. ii. , num. 14 to 23, pp. 435 to 437.
3
bold, Bishop of Metz, gave this place to St.
Chapter hi.
'
St. Peter Damianquali-
*
Helera was a distinct place from Hila-
—
According to the Sanmarthann, Sige-
fies it, the
by epithet
the BoUandists think this should be niam. "
"
714. But,
riacum, according to Mabillon. While the
former was on the banks of the Moselle, the
latter was situated not far from the Saar, a
considerable distance from the former river.
Helera had been long extinct, but Hilaria-
cum was extant, in the time of Mabillon,
and then called Nova-cella, or the Benedic-
tine Monastery of St. Nabor or St. Avol.
"
See
i. , lib. viii. , sect, xxvii. , p. 221. Dr.
Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus
originally, not to St. Paul, but to St. Hilary, and he thinks it to have been one of St. Fri- dolin's foundations, and that being in the eastern and mountainous part of Lorraine,
tianity was planted, by some religious men, "
" Gallinariam," but
Fridolin, and dedicated it A. D.
according to another account, Hilariacum was built from its foundations, by Meurissius, Bishop of Metz, dedicated to St. Paul, and endowed A. D. 734. This latter statement was to be found, in an old MS. of that monastery. Wherefore, the BoUandists, re- marking on the lateness of these dates, state, that either Helera was a different place from Hilariacum, or that the first house, built there by St. Fridolin, having been destroyed, it must have been rebuilt by Sigebold, or Sigebald, Bishop of Metz.
"* So early as the fifth century, Chris-
Seca-
Lanigan is of opinion, that the name of Hi-
lariacum indicates it had been dedicated among those mountains. According to
Menologium Scoticum," Fri-
Dempster's
dolin founded eight monasteries,
5 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March vi. , p. 92.
1 66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
Argentina^ by the Latins, and now known as Strasburg, situated on the River
Rhine. Here again, our saint erected another church, in honour of his
patron, St. Hilary.
The same course of labour was undertaken by him, in the territories of
Metz and Austrasia, through which countries he travelled for some time. He left Argentoratum, however, and he appears to have visited several monas- teries, on his way through the Kingdom of Burgundy, until at last he came
to the Bishop? of Curia,^ in the territory of Rhaetia. Here the holy pilgrim remained, for some time, and here, once more, he built a church, dedicated to St. Hilary. 9 Yet, impelled by the Divine admonition to seek his ultimate
point of destination, he enquired from those, who knew the neighbouring territories, if they could direct him to any island, in the Rhine, as yet uncul- tivated and uninhabited. They spoke of one, the elegibility of which they knew not, and they indicated where and how it might be reached. Fridolin set out on his travels, and, after incredible fatigue, he arrived at the spot. Hefeltrejoicedtobeholdthissceneofhisfuturelabours; but,itseems,the
people of that country mistrusted his motives, for coming among them. Being noticed as a stranger, wandering about, and making observations on the site, he was upbraided by the neighbouring inhabitants, that he had taken up his quarters, in the island, as a robber, intending to seize on their cattle. They offered so violent and persistent an opposition, that Fridolin barely escaped from a violent death ; and, he was obliged to return, so that he might obtain the king's charter for possession of lands, claimed as a royalty, fromtimeimmemorial. Thisthekinggrantedtohim,andtohismonks,for ever, and signed the document with his own hand. Nor was this all, for royal messengers or guards were sent back with Fridolin. These signified the king's grant, and also his decree, that if any intruder should further interfere with the holy pilgrim's labours or title to the place, death without reprieve should be the punishment for such an offence. '°
In fine, he obtained a grant of the island and territory at Seckingen. " This island lay in the Rhine, and at its entrance into Suabia. But, whether
the grant was made to him by Thierry I. , King of Austrasie," or by Sigismond, King of Bourgogne,'3 is disputed among those, who adhere to, or dissent from, the opinion ot our saint's early arrival in France. '* Here, according to Dr.
Lanigan, he built a church and a stately monastery, under the patronage of
'Argentoratum is the name it receives, from the more ancient writers.
lini Abbatis, &c. Vila, &c. , lib. i. , cap. xvii. to xxiii. , pp. 485, 486. Also, the Bol-
7 In Bruschius' "
landists' "Acta tomus Sanctorum,"
Catalogus Episcoporum Curiensium," he is called Puricius, or Pruri-
i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino Abbate Seck-
cius.
* Now Coire, in the Grisons of Switzer-
land. See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives
ingse in Germania.
3 See /^jV/. , num. II, I? . , 1 3, p. 435.
* The latter part of the seventh and the
early part of the eighth is Dr. Lanigan's
"
otherwritershaveA. D. 372,
^ The BoUandists assert, that his
reign
bc-
gan, a. d. 479, and that in 494, he embraced
the Christian Religion. Colgan maintains,
that he began to reign, about A. D. 484, and tliat he died about A. D. 514, according to the generality of writers,
' Such is the opinion of Colgan, in "Acta
Sanctorum Hiberniae," Martii vi. Vita S.
P>idoUni Abb. itis, &c. , n. 9, p. 490. Also the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus
i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino, Abbate, 5 Such is apparently the supposition of &c. Commentarius Prsevius, sect, ii. , pp.
Coccius, and Dempster. Baronius places 431, 432. the death of St. Hilary at A. D. 369, while
Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sect, xiv. , p. 479, and n. 145,
opinion, respecting his period. See
pp. 482 to 486.
He then arrived at a certain sea,
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i6i
opinion should bring him to France, in the fifth century. ^ Others, with a greater degree of probability, state, that Clovis II. 9 or III. '° was, at this time, the reigning monarch. This variation of statement and opinion, regarding the time when FridoHn lived, has tended to introduce confusion of deduction ; yet, they should not excite doubts as to Fridolin's existence, for not only has Balther's Life of him every mark of authenticity, but his memory has been inseparably connected with the various monasteries he founded, and which have been most celebrated for centuries in Lorraine, Alsace, Germany and Switzerland. " The Bollandists'^ and Calmet'3 will not allow, that Fridolin arrivedinFrance,untilaboutthecommencementofthesixthcentury,''* and while Clovis I. was yet reigning. Mabillon states, that the Acts of our saint are referable to the reigns of later kings, and he introduces them, under the date of 5 90. '5 Now, it is to be observed, that Balther does not indicate what King Clovis or Clodoveus had been the contemporary of our saint ; but, we learn from his biography, that Christianity had been well established in Ire- land, at the time of this arrival in France. '^ Nor, does it seem much more likely, that Clovis II. then ruled •,^^ for, Neustria and Burgundy were only
subject to him,'^ whereas, Balther represents his Clovis as reigning far and wide. Now, Clovis III. flourished, during the latter end of the seventh
century ; and, although he did not directly exercise much jurisdiction, yet, under the protectorate of Pepin de Heristal,'^ his empire was very extensive, and he enjoyed the title of king. He died, a. d. 695, and, it is thought most probable,^° that he was the recognised monarch of France, when Fridolin
sailed from Ireland, and reached that country, to begin his missionary labours. Again, Claudius Robert and the Sammarthann have deferred his
arrival in France to the beginning of the eighth century. ''^ This, however, must be rejected, as altogether too late a period.
When our saint landed in France, he received kind welcome from a man of good family, who dwelt near the port of his arrival, and with Iiim the holy missionary remained for a few days, as well to recruit his strength after the fatigues of his travel, as to learn the condition of things in the new country.
^ Among the writers who hold it are Coccius, Canisius, Bruschius, Guillemann, Possuevin, Bale, Gesner, Ware> Hanmer, Cratepolius, and Colgan. See "Acta Sane- torum liibernise," Martii vi. Appendix ad Acta S. Fridolini, cap. i. , pp. 491, 492.
9 His nominal reign lasted about eighteen years, and he succeeded on the death of his father Dagobert I. , when he was a mere in- fant. The maires of his household were jEga and Erchinoald. Clovis II. only lived to the age of twenty-one. See an account of him in L. P. Anquetil's "Histoire de France," Premiere Race dite des Merovin- giens, sect, v. , p. 53.
'° He was the son of King Thierry III. , and succeeded on his death, when only ten or eleven years old. He only lived to be fifteen, and Pepin le Gros, or as sometimes called de Heristal, governed the Kingdom of Neustria in his name. See ibid. , sect. vi. , p. 54.
'^ gee " Histoire de Lorraine," lib. vii. , sect. i8.
'* This is inferred from the fact, that in 494, the city of Poitiers and all Aquitain were under the power of Alaric, King of the Goths. Over these, Clovis 1. obtained a great victory A. D, 507, at Vouille, when Aquitain was taken from them, so that, during this year or the two years succeeding, it is thought lil<ely, the arrival of St. Frido- lin may agree with the facts of history,
'^ gee "Annales Ordinis S. Benedict! ," tomus i. , lib. viii. , sect, xxvii. , p. 221.
'*
Were it otherwise, there should have been an ample field for his labours at home. Nor does it appear, that Irish missionary expeditions to the Continent were known, at the commencement of the sixth century, Should we refer our saini's period, to the time of Clovis I. , Fridolin must, probably, have been one of St. Patrick's converts ; yet, no where do we find him classed among these
'^ He had no power in Ausirasia, the scene of Fridolin's later proceedings.
'' He was also remarkable, for being a great encourager of missionaries.
" See Rev. Dr.
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xvL, sect, xiv. , n. 145, pp. 486, 487.
'* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino, Abbate, &c. Commentarius Pmsvius, sect, ii. , p. 431.
Vol. III. —No. 3.
l
I. anigan's
" Ecclesiastical
disciples.
'? His reign lasted from A. D. 638 to 656.
i62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
He was informed, that some of its inhabitants were worshippers of the true God, while others were still addicted to pagan rites and worship. '^ This
urged our saint to begin the work of preaching, and he expounded the Catholic Faith, in the Most Holy Trinity, to the people of all those cities and
places, through which he passed. Fridolin seemed to multiply himself, to meet the various demands on his time and labours, and he ran from town to town, from province to province, without allowing himself a moment's relax- ation. Among other places, he visited the city of Poitiers, where its great Patron, St. Hilary, was held in such universal veneration. '^ He entered first as a guest, and he remained in that part of the monastic precincts, which was denominated the castrum, or fort,"* probably, because it had been built to guard against the attacks of hostile marauders. How long he continued in the position of a subject, we are unable to determine. It is not correct to state, as has been done, that Fridolin built the monastery of St. Hilary, at Poitiers,*5 It is certain, that this foundation not only preceded the time of St. Fridolin's arrival in that city, but even it appears to have been in a flourishing state, when he sought hospitality from its inmates. Our saint spent some time here as monk, subject to ecclesiastical obedience. He was afterwards called to the government of the Monastery of St. Hilary. In either capacity, he became distinguished for his prudence, moderation, and exact observance of religious discipline.
Fridolin's devotion to St. Hilary was very great, and he felt an eager desire to procure the relics of the holy bishop. The love of his fellow-creatures was such, as to induce him to undergo all labours and privations to gain soulstoChrist. But,hewasnotneglectfulofthemeans,whichmostpower- fully contributed to his success as a missioner, since he chastised his body, according to the advice of St. Paul, with macerations and austerities, lest whilst he preached to others himself might become a reprobate. He spent much time in prayer and watching, while especially were his devout wishes offered, to be enabled to find the object of his most earnest desires. The relics of St. Hilary, the founder ot this monastery at Poitiers, had long lain undiscovered, beneath the ruins of his church ;'*^ but, they were miraculously revealed to St. Fridolin, and one night, the holy bishop himself appeared,
andsaidtohim " is : Brother, thy prayer
heard, and,
granted me, I do not cease, through the suffrages of the ever Blessed Virgin
Mary, Mother of God, and through the intervention of all the saints, to help your prayer to the Divine Majesty ; for know, that God himself hath selected thee, to renew in this place honours reserved Tor me, and a great reward thou shalt have, in placing immediately my relics, in a more distmguished part of the church. " On hearing such words, Fridolin awoke, his mind filled with greatconsolation; and,arisingfromhishumblepalletofstraw,heentered the church, giving humble thanks to God and to St. Hilary, for this result of
»" Rev. Dr.
" By " Lanigan.
" See Gallia Christiana," p. 628.
This indicates rather an early date for
his mission in France.
'3 It would seem, that St. Hilary's mon-
astery had been, at first, in the suburbs ; but, in the time of St. Peter Damian, it was known as the greater basilica of St. Hilary, within the city. There was another churcli, known there as St. Hilary's ceil, where it is thought he lived and died.
'* It seems to have corresponded with the early caisol or mitr of our ancient Irish mon- a-'eries.
=5 See " i. O'FIaherty's Ogygia," pars.
Proloquium, p. 28.
sofaras is power
'"
that about the year 409, the Vandals, Alani and Suevi passed through Aquitain, ou their
This was probably owing to the fact,
passage to Spain. Afterwards, Poitiers was under Gothic sway, so that it is probable, the Christians were unable to pay suitable honours, at the tomb of the founder, while they had even forgotten the exact spot where his body had been buried.
'' In the year 508 or 509, Adelsius,
"
to the decrees of the Council of Orleans,
Episcopus ex civitate Pictauis," subscribed
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 163
his long-practised devotions. Then, he began to fast in a manner, incredibly austere, until all his religious brothers noticed that he was reduced to an extreme degree of leanness. He was asked his reasons for such excessive rigour, and at length he was obliged to state what had occurred, and how in gratitude to the Almighty for so great a favour, he had thus redoubled his austerities. Fridolin declared, moreover, the necessity for carrying out certain restorations in the church, and this was agreed to by his fellow-reli- gious, in the manner he should best approve. He signified, that without consulting the bishop, and without his concurrence, and without obtaining aid from King Clodovseus, nothing could be undertaken, in reference to the translation of St. Hilary's relics, or in the matter of restoring his church. Now, owing to the love entertained for him, the Bishop of Poitiers, "^ and his subjects, were accustomed to visit St. Hilary's monastery very frequently, be- cause there his eloquence was the theme of universal approbation.
Taking with him some familiar friends, Fridolin held an interview with the bishop and his clergy. A council was convened,^^ and learning where St. Hilary's relics reposed, it was agreed, that all should proceed to the spot. On this occasion, Fridolin appears to have been chosen as abbot over the monastery. Then, too, a solemn engagement was entered upon, to have the church restored, and the relics of St. Hilary honourably placed therein, while in a fervent spirit of self-sacrifice, the bishop, clergy and laity resolved, that no expense should be spared, in carrying out a most laudable ambition of the holy abbot.
Thus, being obliged to lay aside the pilgrim's staff, and to assume most reluctantly the abbatial crozier, Fridolin was counselled to appear, with the bishop in company, before King Chlodovseus. According to the usual custom of those times, the bishop rode on horseback, while the abbot travelled on foot. The king was greatly rejoiced to hear of their approach, and leaving the throne, with a number of his courtiers accompanying, he went forward to welcome the bishop and the abbot, for he had heard much concerning the holiness of Fridolin. A great banquet was prepared for their arrival in the palace, and at it several nobles sat down to table. Among the guests were many pagans, and one of the most celebrated of Fridolin's miracles now took place, when filling with wine a stone vessel, the colour of glass, and adorned with gold and precious stones in a wonderful manner,''s Clodovseus presented it to our saint ; but, it fell over a grade of the table, and it was then broken into four pieces. One of the attendants gathered them together, and pre- sented them to the king, who, in playful allusion to Fridolin's power of working miracles, asked him to do so in the present instance, and to magnify God'snamebetorethepagans. Takingthefragmentstogether,andbending in humble prayer over tnem, the vessel was presented whole to the monarch, nor could any person observe a single flaw throughout, so that all present ex- pressed the greatest amazement. The king and those who were at table immediately arose, and poured forth prayers most fervently, for this mani- festation of God's power. In consequence of such a miracle, Fridolin con-
Poitiers, A. D. 590. See ibid. , p. 222.
'» This description naturally reminds us of the celebrated Ardagh Cup—probably a banqueting one of the old Irish chiels—and now carehdiy preserved in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. The
latter, however, is of more costly materials, and we presume of a greatly superior style
The Bollandists think he was the contempo- rary of our saint. The people of Basle, how- ever, claim Adelsius, and suppose he should be called "
Episcopus Rauracorum. " In his chronological list 01 Councils, Sir Harris Nicolas has that of Orleans, on Discipline, assembled July loth, a. d. 511. See " Chro-
nology of History," p. 219.
=8 We cannot discover
cord of this council. Yet, there was one at
as French cup here mentioned.
any probable re-
and ornamentation,
compared with the
i6zi. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
verted many French nobles, in the presence of King Clodovseus,^^ while the bishop baptized them at the font. Greatly rejoiced, the king retired to his chamber the first night after the bishop and abbot had arrived, while they
were honourably lodged in the guest-house ; and, early on the day following, he arose to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, oftered by the pious visitors. Afterwards, Fridolin asked permission to have an audience, the bishopbeingpresent,andthekinggraciouslyassented; when,hearingthe whole wonderful account of Fridolin's vision, and about the discovery of St. Hilary's remains, Clodovasus not only highly approved of an intention to re- store the monastery, and to depose the relics there, but he even promised to contribute a large amount of gold and silver, to aid in that pious object.
Then taking leave of the king, Fridolin and the bishop returned to Poi- tiers. There, the church and monastery, with the assistance of King Clovis, were both rebuilt by our saint, as they had already fallen in a great measure to decay. His next object was to have a shrine prepared for the reception of St. Hilary's relics. The bishop and people of the city rendered every possible assistance, to have all that was necessary provided, so that the occasion should be one of great ceremony and solemnity. Part of the illus- trious founder's remains was placed in a suitable manner, within the pre-
cincts of the restored edifice : another portion being reserved by our saint, for ulterior purposes. This honourable deposition was executed, with befit- ting rites and magnificence ; while, it is stated, with great respect and
veneration on the 13th day of January,3» that of his commemoration, the body of St. Hilary was enshrined in the city of Poitiers.
Whilst in this place, St. Fridolin was visited by two very near relations,^* who were priests, and who came from Northumberland. They had long desired his companionship, and they wished to labour with him on the mission. Oursaintacknowledgedtherelationship,andreceivedhiskinsmen with great honour and affection. They were likewise overjoyed to have found him, and they took up their abode under the same roof. 33
CHAPTER III.
A VISION OF ST. HILARY WARNS ST. FRIDOLIN TO LEAVE FOR SECKINGEN—THE HOLY PILGRIM BUILDS SEVERAL CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES, IN HONOUR OF ST. HILARY, THROUGHOUT—THE TERRITORIES OF METZ, ALSACE, LORRAINE, BOUR- GOGNE,ANDAUSTRASIE HEDEPARTSFORRH^TIA,ANDARRIVESATTHESITEOF SECKINGEN—OPPOSITION OF THE PEOPLE THERE—HE OBTAINS A CHARTER FOR FOUNDATION FROM THE KING—A NUNNERY IS FOUNDED AT SECKINGEN, AND GREAT MIRACLES ARE WROUGHT BY THE SAINT.
An apparition of St. Hilary to the holy abbot warned him to proceed to- wards Germany. For after he had entertained his nephews from Northum- bria, and having retired to bed, first signing himself with the cross, St. Hilary
:
addressedhim "BrotherFridolin,whydelayyoutheaccomplishment
3° See O'Flaherty's "Ogygia," pars, i. , Translation of St. Hilary's Relics, hold the Pi"oIoquium, p. 28. opinion, that both were natives of Ireland.
"
3' Yet, other accounts have it, that the Bruschiiis, De Monasteriis Germania:,"
Translation took place on the 26th of June, states, that they were his nephews on the and according to Bouchet, in his Annals, father's side ; while Bauchet, in his Annals,
jhus
many miracles were wrought on this occasion.
3^ Colgan remarks, Petrus Canisius, in his Life of St. Fridolin, chap, xiv. , and St. Peter Damian, in his Discourse on the
relates, how twelve or thirteen yeai's before
he wrote, their bodies were found as perfect,
as if they had been only four days buried, in the church of St. Hilary.
"
33 gee Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 165
of what you promised to God and to me, when you were obliged to separate a certain part of my remains to carry with you. Therefore, do not tarry longer in this place, which your nephews shall take care to have dedicated to the service of the Almighty, after your departure. " Then Fridolin asked, whither he should proceed, and he was told to a certain island^ in the Rhine. Awaking from this dream, word was brought, that the bishop had been stricken with paralysis ; and, with his nephews, our holy abbot, at once, went to render spiritual and temporal comfort. Almost at the point of death, the
prelate lay prostrate, but Fridolin bent down in prayer. He arose in tears, and in great perturbation of spirits, but he found, that the patient was entirely
restored. All those, who were present, devoutly gave thanks to God. Then, Fridolin told the bishop, to his great regret, what admonition he had received
from St. Hilary. Not the prelate alone, but all his clergy and people, be» wailed the inevitable loss their district must suffer, owing to the holy abbot's enforced absence \ yet, the will of God should be accomplished, and sur- rounded by the sorrowing citizens of Poitiers, Fridolin, taking with him the relics of St. Hilary, bade them adieu. He set out immediately to visit King Chlodovgeus, according to the Life, and he related the particulars of his vision. From that monarch, he obtained permission to occupy the island indicated, but as yet unseen by him, and to accomplish there whatever the Providence of God decreed.
With joy, St. Fridolin parted from the king, who had so graciously
assented to his request, and his steps were first directed towards the Moselle.
Before leaving France, however, he founded several churches, especially in the provinces of Bourgogne and Alsace. On the banks of that river already
named, he began to build the monastery of Helera f and, perhaps, at a different place, called Hilariacum,3 he erected another church. This, or these, he dedicated to St. Hilary, but he only remained, until his work was completed. FromtheMoselle,hedeparted,aswearetoldbyBalther,and his course lay through a gorge of the Vosges mountains. * There he selected the site for a church he built—perhaps not different from Hilariacums—and he dedicated it to St. Hilary. Thence, he passed on to the city, called
niae," Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini, lib. i. ,
cap. iv. to xyi. , and nn. lo, ii, pp. 482 to "
it answers Balther's description of a church he erected, after leaving the banks of the Moselle. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sect, xiv. , n. 130, pp. 481, 482.
490. Also, the BoUandists' Acta Sancto- rum," tomus i. , Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini, lib. i,, cap. ii. , num. 14 to 23, pp. 435 to 437.
3
bold, Bishop of Metz, gave this place to St.
Chapter hi.
'
St. Peter Damianquali-
*
Helera was a distinct place from Hila-
—
According to the Sanmarthann, Sige-
fies it, the
by epithet
the BoUandists think this should be niam. "
"
714. But,
riacum, according to Mabillon. While the
former was on the banks of the Moselle, the
latter was situated not far from the Saar, a
considerable distance from the former river.
Helera had been long extinct, but Hilaria-
cum was extant, in the time of Mabillon,
and then called Nova-cella, or the Benedic-
tine Monastery of St. Nabor or St. Avol.
"
See
i. , lib. viii. , sect, xxvii. , p. 221. Dr.
Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus
originally, not to St. Paul, but to St. Hilary, and he thinks it to have been one of St. Fri- dolin's foundations, and that being in the eastern and mountainous part of Lorraine,
tianity was planted, by some religious men, "
" Gallinariam," but
Fridolin, and dedicated it A. D.
according to another account, Hilariacum was built from its foundations, by Meurissius, Bishop of Metz, dedicated to St. Paul, and endowed A. D. 734. This latter statement was to be found, in an old MS. of that monastery. Wherefore, the BoUandists, re- marking on the lateness of these dates, state, that either Helera was a different place from Hilariacum, or that the first house, built there by St. Fridolin, having been destroyed, it must have been rebuilt by Sigebold, or Sigebald, Bishop of Metz.
"* So early as the fifth century, Chris-
Seca-
Lanigan is of opinion, that the name of Hi-
lariacum indicates it had been dedicated among those mountains. According to
Menologium Scoticum," Fri-
Dempster's
dolin founded eight monasteries,
5 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March vi. , p. 92.
1 66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
Argentina^ by the Latins, and now known as Strasburg, situated on the River
Rhine. Here again, our saint erected another church, in honour of his
patron, St. Hilary.
The same course of labour was undertaken by him, in the territories of
Metz and Austrasia, through which countries he travelled for some time. He left Argentoratum, however, and he appears to have visited several monas- teries, on his way through the Kingdom of Burgundy, until at last he came
to the Bishop? of Curia,^ in the territory of Rhaetia. Here the holy pilgrim remained, for some time, and here, once more, he built a church, dedicated to St. Hilary. 9 Yet, impelled by the Divine admonition to seek his ultimate
point of destination, he enquired from those, who knew the neighbouring territories, if they could direct him to any island, in the Rhine, as yet uncul- tivated and uninhabited. They spoke of one, the elegibility of which they knew not, and they indicated where and how it might be reached. Fridolin set out on his travels, and, after incredible fatigue, he arrived at the spot. Hefeltrejoicedtobeholdthissceneofhisfuturelabours; but,itseems,the
people of that country mistrusted his motives, for coming among them. Being noticed as a stranger, wandering about, and making observations on the site, he was upbraided by the neighbouring inhabitants, that he had taken up his quarters, in the island, as a robber, intending to seize on their cattle. They offered so violent and persistent an opposition, that Fridolin barely escaped from a violent death ; and, he was obliged to return, so that he might obtain the king's charter for possession of lands, claimed as a royalty, fromtimeimmemorial. Thisthekinggrantedtohim,andtohismonks,for ever, and signed the document with his own hand. Nor was this all, for royal messengers or guards were sent back with Fridolin. These signified the king's grant, and also his decree, that if any intruder should further interfere with the holy pilgrim's labours or title to the place, death without reprieve should be the punishment for such an offence. '°
In fine, he obtained a grant of the island and territory at Seckingen. " This island lay in the Rhine, and at its entrance into Suabia. But, whether
the grant was made to him by Thierry I. , King of Austrasie," or by Sigismond, King of Bourgogne,'3 is disputed among those, who adhere to, or dissent from, the opinion ot our saint's early arrival in France. '* Here, according to Dr.
Lanigan, he built a church and a stately monastery, under the patronage of
'Argentoratum is the name it receives, from the more ancient writers.
lini Abbatis, &c. Vila, &c. , lib. i. , cap. xvii. to xxiii. , pp. 485, 486. Also, the Bol-
7 In Bruschius' "
landists' "Acta tomus Sanctorum,"
Catalogus Episcoporum Curiensium," he is called Puricius, or Pruri-
i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino Abbate Seck-
cius.
* Now Coire, in the Grisons of Switzer-
land. See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives
ingse in Germania.
